how long should a horror novel be

When it comes to the length of a horror novel, there is no fixed rule or specific word count that determines its effectiveness or impact. The length of a horror novel can vary widely depending on various factors like the complexity of the plot, the depth of character development, and the overall pacing of the story. 

Generally, horror novels tend to be longer than their counterparts in other genres. This is because horror often relies on creating a sense of dread, building tension, and unraveling the supernatural or psychological elements that make the genre so captivating. However, it is important to strike a balance between engaging the reader with a substantial story and not overwhelming them with unnecessary filler.

Many classic horror novels fall within the range of 300 to 500 pages, but there are exceptions. Some shorter horror novels, like Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House," prove that a chilling and atmospheric tale can be told concisely. On the other hand, epic horror novels like Stephen King's "The Stand" or Clive Barker's "Imajica" can span over a thousand pages, immersing readers in richly detailed worlds with multiple interwoven storylines.

Ultimately, what matters most is the quality of the storytelling and the ability to evoke a sense of fear and unease in the reader. It is better to focus on creating a well-crafted and engaging story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats rather than strictly adhering to a predetermined length.

If you're looking for some recommendations for horror novels, here are a few that have gained critical acclaim and a dedicated readership:

1. "The Shining" by Stephen King: This iconic novel follows the gradual descent into madness of a struggling writer and his family during their winter stay at the isolated Overlook Hotel.

2. "Bird Box" by Josh Malerman: Set in a world where opening one's eyes could drive them to deadly madness, this gripping post-apocalyptic tale focuses on a mother's harrowing journey to protect her children.

3. "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski: This unconventional and mind-bending novel explores the strange occurrences in a family's new home, challenging the very notion of reality.

As you delve further into the intriguing world of horror fiction, consider exploring the works of renowned authors like H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, and Shirley Jackson. They have contributed immensely to the genre and have left a notable mark on the collective psyche of readers.

For additional resources and recommendations, websites like Goodreads and Reddit's "r/horrorlit" community can provide valuable insights and discussions on horror novels and authors.
Onmyoji Chronicles Fiction
Onmyoji Chronicles

Nineteen years ago, I was born in a remote red mountain village in northern Jiangsu. During the Anti-Japanese War, the village was massacred, and strange paranormal events often occurred. As my grandfather was the village party secretary, I had the privilege of witnessing these bizarre cases. They included the "Old Tree Murder Case," the "Buried Coffin in the Well Case," the "Dismembered Child Case," and the "Body Possession Case"... I uncovered the hidden truth behind the crimes - not all killers are human! ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Yin Yang Master Chronicles" reader group: Sina Weibo, Bird of the North: http://weibo.com/p/ Author's private QQ: Heiyan Supports third-party login. As long as you have QQ, Sina Weibo, or Baidu accounts, you don't need to register. Just click lightly and you can log in directly. After logging in, you can comment, vote for recommendations, and more. Very

540.55 Million words | 2021-12-25 06:21Update

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Heavy Sweetness Ash Like Frost Fiction
Heavy Sweetness Ash Like Frost

If you have any issues regarding publishing and film and television copyright, please contact me by sending a direct message or leaving a comment on my Weibo account. Click here for my Weibo address: [insert Weibo address] A grape beauty with a mind-boggling nature, a burnt phoenix man, and a dazzling merman. Plus a lead cameo by an unfeeling pill. Uh... Actually, dual cultivation is an art form worthy of deep exploration. The flowers are in bloom, and the window is open, but why can't I see you? I can see you, hear you, but I can't say I love you... Is there really a next life? In that case, I wish to be a fluttering butterfly, A drop of ink that disperses on paper, A grain of sand weathered away by the wind... The new edition of "Ashes of Love" has officially been published by Huashan Literature and Art Publishing House on [insert date]! It includes all the contents from the first edition, plus an exclusive extra of 10,000 words.

20.03 Million words | 2021-10-27 19:38Update

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Infinite Roleplay Fiction
Infinite Roleplay

Do you choose meaningless death, or do you choose to become a contractor and experience a new rebirth in an infinite world? If you choose to become a contractor, congratulations, your life will become more exciting, more passionate, and more...crazy! The current available types of dungeons are: movie worlds such as "Soul Car," "Terminator," and "Resident Evil"; PC game worlds such as "Devil May Cry," "Prototype," "Dota," and "League of Legends"; comic book worlds...

17.18 Million words | 2020-09-17 22:26Update

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The Corpse Burner Fiction
The Corpse Burner

Over the course of ten years, I have cremated numerous corpses. Among them were not only ordinary corpses that one could hardly see in a lifetime, but also blood corpses and yin corpses, as well as the extremely rare fragrant corpses... After experiencing so much, I have come to realize that the most terrifying thing is not vengeful ghosts, but rather the human heart.

311.91 Million words | 2022-11-29 13:26Update

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The Epic of Blood and Glory in the Apocalypse Fiction
The Epic of Blood and Glory in the Apocalypse

In the unpredictable next second, the end of the world silently began, as the earth turned a new chapter of evolution and mutation. No longer mindless zombies, it was the hunting ground of all creatures, a hell for humanity. Yesterday, bustling cities were filled with people and traffic. Today, all beings competed for survival, and the victors ruled over the world. Zombies, mutants, giant beasts, superpowers... One legendary game, a world-shattering event, a chubby protagonist, a little girl, and a few fierce roars...

159.83 Million words | 2021-01-26 20:35Update

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Thousand Faces of Elegance Fiction
Thousand Faces of Elegance

She crossed over and found herself bound to the bed of Murong Ke, the God of War in the Yan Kingdom. She had four faces, and the first son of the Jin Kingdom, Xie An, fell in love with three of them. This is a ridiculous and chaotic world, and she is a captivating woman of chaos. In order to commemorate her, the world created an eternal phrase: peerless beauty! ## Friends, we now have a supergroup! The previous group

66.09 Million words | 2022-01-03 06:57Update

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Life in the Qing Dynasty Fiction
Life in the Qing Dynasty

[Starting Point Girls' Website Group B Class Signed Work] This is the story of a girl who knows nothing about history but becomes a time-traveling woman in the Qing Dynasty. This is the story of a girl who only wants an ordinary life but ends up marrying Yongzheng. ... Since we're here, let's embrace it and witness a different Nuohuru family. ************************************************************** ? A new novel, "The Scroll of Zhu Ming," is currently being serialized. Please support it!] One camping accident led her to fall into the Ming Dynasty. One alternate life brought her into the annals of history. One twist of fate led her to marry Zhu Di... The Scroll of Zhu Ming – the flourishing Yongle era, the love and power of an emperor!

102.12 Million words | 2021-04-21 05:40Update

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The Rise of Mutants in the Apocalypse Fiction
The Rise of Mutants in the Apocalypse

Gray clouds, dust, earthquakes...disasters ravage the world, shattering the familiar rules of humanity. Terror, despair, bloodshed, and slaughter become the prevailing themes of this new world. The weak are now wary of inconspicuous beings that were once seen as ants, but now prey on humans. Yes, they are the hunters, and we are the hunted. As different species rise in power, humanity has no choice but to fight back. Gray clouds, dust, earthquakes...disasters ravage the world, shattering the familiar rules of humanity. Terror, despair, bloodshed, and slaughter become the prevailing themes of this new world. The weak...

308.76 Million words | 2022-08-22 22:21Update

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Hot and innocent girl Fiction
Hot and innocent girl

It was pitch black and she couldn't see anything. She played a trick on the young emperor, dazzlingly! Packed up and fled! Two years later, they met again as rivals at the head of a company she schemed to join, only to find out it belonged to that damn man! He smiled faintly and said, "Little thing, it's time to return what you borrowed from me!" Oh no! The pit she dug for herself turned out to be quite deep...

333.20 Million words | 2022-08-18 17:25Update

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Riches and Honor await at the door. Fiction
Riches and Honor await at the door.

Official Introduction: Father was framed and imprisoned by his clan. On the night of her wedding, she was killed by her husband. Reborn at thirteen, will she be able to start over again? As she undergoes a transformation, she must seize control of her own life... Private Introduction: Reborn, she strives to change her life. As she puts in effort, there will eventually be rewards. But the one by her side always remains a lingering presence that she cannot let go of... The road to rebirth is full of splendor, love is deeply moving, the supporting female character hides her true self, and the male lead is not a background character nor an icy-faced person. The supporting male character is both loathed and loved simultaneously.

105.09 Million words | 2022-11-04 17:06Update

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Infinite Earth Roars with Fury Fiction
Infinite Earth Roars with Fury

It's a cruel world, where some people wail. It's a mysterious world, where some people revel. We traverse the battlefield of Terminators, witnessing the world's demise. We hunt in Jurassic Park, surviving amidst swarms of insects. We clink glasses with orcs, share joyous moments. We fight alongside elves, against common foes. We profane the divine in heaven, defy fear in hell. Come, let us join forces with Lu Chen, witness his growth, and appreciate his legend.

217.40 Million words | 2023-06-13 05:02Update

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There is a female ghost in my body. Fiction
There is a female ghost in my body.

His name is Xia Tian, from a remote rural area. After graduating from university, he stayed in the city to work. Her name is Han, originally an underworld ghost tasked with capturing vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts. Due to an unexpected accident, Han became trapped inside Xia Tian's body and could not escape. From then on, the two souls, one male and one female, shared the same physical existence. What other stories will unfold for them? In the meantime, Xia Tian, taking Han's place, became the only Hell's ghost runner with a physical body.

444.83 Million words | 2020-08-04 14:15Update

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Infinite: The Ultimate Devil Fiction
Infinite: The Ultimate Devil

Betrayal... In fact, I am the one who was betrayed! Even now, I am still being hunted, even now, I am still being hated! Now, with my blinded eyes, I can see a future that others cannot foresee. Sometimes, destiny must be held in one's own hands! This is a story of betrayal and rise, a tale of a demon as cold as the night but afraid of loneliness, spinning endlessly in the infinite dimensions. Solitude, endurance, overturning, assassination, domination... until finally, transcending. -- Thus, looking up at heaven from hell.

164.97 Million words | 2020-11-15 07:07Update

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Sunny's pastoral life. Fiction
Sunny's pastoral life.

The Lantern Festival was going well, but she still had to make a wish to the moon, expressing her desire for a peaceful and carefree country life. Little did she know, the moon really heard her wish and sent her back to an ancient farming family. She wore whatever she had, even ending up in a pigsty. What? Her father was a scholar, but couldn't earn a penny. Her mother could only cry while holding the child. Well, she had to rely on herself. Hiding behind her older brother, she gave him ideas and helped her brothers become successful. Naturally, she also had to choose a suitable and good match for herself, to happily live her country life

160.65 Million words | 2022-12-10 00:43Update

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Invincible Mountain and Sea Classic Fiction
Invincible Mountain and Sea Classic

End-time Holy Scriptures, Chronicles of Mountains and Seas. When a biochemical crisis engulfs the entire Earth, various biochemical beasts emerge endlessly. A young man gains the ability of Houyi, shooting against the heavens, dominating the world!

520.75 Million words | 2020-09-07 23:18Update

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Global Awakening Fiction
Global Awakening

If you break free from the shackles of genetics and awaken, what superpower do you hope to obtain? Chen Xiaole, awakened, possesses an incredible superpower... A great era begins... Who will be the favored child of this era? Standing at the forefront, overlooking the world, who will determine the rise or fall?

474.76 Million words | 2021-01-21 10:27Update

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The Gotham Detective. Fiction
The Gotham Detective.

A talented detective from the mortal realm is reborn in the legendary city of Gotham after his untimely demise on a mission. Here, he meets the righteous and upright Police Commissioner Gordon, the commissioner's daughter, Miss Barbara Gordon, and the urban legend known as Batman. In this place, he transforms from a detective to a superhero, embarking on a new journey in life...

131.26 Million words | 2021-09-13 11:16Update

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The Master of Forging in Demon Slayer Fiction
The Master of Forging in Demon Slayer

Traversing into the world of Demon Slayer, I unexpectedly became a blacksmith. "Then I must forge the strongest Nichirin Blade!" As I hammered the metal ingot, a notification appeared... [Impurities] purged, yet another notification appeared... [Physicality] forged into a weapon, yet another notification appeared... [Willpower]

302.22 Million words | 2020-12-06 06:23Update

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Apocalypse Song of the Dead Fiction
Apocalypse Song of the Dead

As the final exams were coming to an end, a pungent smell suddenly wafted in. The once beautiful world turned into a bloody and horrifying scene. Confronted with a familiar yet unfamiliar world, they embarked on a journey. For survival, for staying alive, for witnessing

46.31 Million words | 2022-06-24 12:22Update

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Biological Evolution Storm. Fiction
Biological Evolution Storm.

The impending extraterrestrial energy swept across, causing a surge of spiritual energy on Earth. Numerous organisms underwent unprecedented mutations and evolutions under the immersion of dense spiritual energy. The simplest species adapted first to the new environment: viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, and plankton rose to prominence. Insects, plants, and animals followed suit. Even Mother Earth underwent drastic transformations under the influence of the dense spiritual energy. However, amidst this biological frenzy, humanity found itself falling behind. A tidal wave of evolution for all living beings, and the apocalypse for mankind!

266.74 Million words | 2021-02-10 19:17Update

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